Extension Educator - Posting No. 1434
Date Posted
November 07, 2008
Employer
Michigan State University Extension
Location
Paw Paw, MI
Job Description
Summary Description:
Provide field crops expertise and be responsible for developing field crops educational program activities in a multi-county area. Maintain a level of expertise that compliments Michigan’s field crops industry mission and goals. Focuses are: (1) being an educator; (2) an information provider; (3) a needs assessor; (4) a problem-solving resource for clientele, and; (5) networking with industry, specialists and other ANR educators. Maintain offices in Van Buren and Berrien counties.
General Responsibilities:
Provide leadership and cooperate in planning and developing effective Extension educational programs with emphasis on crop production and management for farm operators in Van Buren and Berrien counties. Plan, develop, implement and evaluate Extension educational programs and activities that will:
• Maintain a flow of current research-based technical and crop management information to farm operators, agri-business and related industries in the counties.
• Improve the skills of producers and agri-businesses in the application of research results to their production or marketing situation.
• Motivate producers and the industry to implement actions that best serve their own community and industry interests. Focus on efficient employment of crop management practices. Work to develop and support agriculture leadership.
• Provide program leadership by collaborating with the county Extension directors, agriculture educators, Extension specialist and the area of expertise team to deliver programs to the crops industry in Van Buren and Berrien counties.
Specific Responsibilities:
• Provide Extension leadership in reviewing and assessing the crops industry situation in relation to the region, state, nation and world. Communicate and interact with related commodity groups to consider positioning and strategy.
• Provide leadership to determine priority needs in the crops industry in cooperation with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups. Develop advisory groups or other structures for program development and input.
• Provide leadership and support to the agriculture industry through active participation in relevant area of expertise teams.
• Communicate the Extension and research needs of the area to campus-based departments, crop integrators and research partners. Assist departments and AoE team in determining these needs through interaction with state commodity groups and associations. Cooperate with county and campus-based Extension staff in developing and implementing programs for improved crop production and products (including strategies for value-added products); improved management decision-making and overall advancement in the industry. Conduct educational programming in proper pesticide use, storage and safety.
• Serve as an information resource for Extension personnel throughout the area and region.
• Provide leadership in planning and carrying out a well-coordinated on-going informational program for crops producers and other clientele. Update producers on current and technical recommendations applicable to industry through farm visits, one-to-one contact and group presentations.
• Continuous communications with CEDs, other agents, AoE team members and with campus-based departments is essential.
• Cooperate with other agents, AoE team, campus-based departments and specialists in establishing, conducting and evaluating demonstrations and research efforts in the area. Cooperate with other USDA, county and state agencies that support agriculture industries.
• Keep the immediate supervisor informed of overall direction of program development, implementation and evaluation. Also regularly share plans and results with county Extension director and other appropriate Extension colleagues.
• Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to communicate current information about the industry to producers. Use communication technologies (e-mail, recorded voice messaging, fax, webpage, etc.) to keep producers aware of current pest conditions.
• Actively participate in the required conferences, in-service education and professional activities to continuously improve proficiency as an educator and technical expertise. Submit reports, evaluations and other materials in accordance with MSU policies.
• Implement the directives and objectives of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action regarding the availability of Extension programs. Strive to reach a diverse audience and extend Extension programs to underserved audiences.
• Maintains and communicates with staff a schedule of current and future activities.
• Participates as a representative of local committees such as the emergency management task force, Farm Service Agency Disaster Committee, Groundwater Stewardship Team, etc…
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications
Qualifications:
Attainment of a Master’s degree upon employment. Demonstrated ability and skills in a discipline that is applicable to applied plant sciences. Course work or experience in agronomy preferred. Three years of Extension and/or Extension-related experience. Demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation and evaluation. Experience in improved crops management practices to increase profitability; reduce undesirable environmental impacts; manage insects, diseases and food safety. Knowledge of harvesting methods and post harvest physiology and storage. Prior experiences in conducting programs related to integrated pest management, integrated crop management and value-added products preferred. Knowledge of farm management practices such as farm labor, records, financial planning, marketing channels and organizations preferred. Some processing knowledge and understanding preferred. Demonstrated leadership and management abilities. Ability to accept and delegate responsibility. Demonstrated drive and initiative. Effective oral and written communication skills. Knowledge and skills in the use of computers and GIS/FSP for use in educational programming and management. Ability to work with people of all socioeconomic levels. Understanding of, and a commitment to, equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity/ pluralism. Personal mobility/transportation. Upon employment, must reside within the multi- county area served by this position (waiver available under certain circumstances).
Salary
Commensurate with training and experience
Contact Information
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Barbara Campbell
MSU Southwest
Michigan State University Extension
3700 E. Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply using the Web Employment Application process at:
http://www.msue.msu.edu/jobs
Phone - 269/671-2444
Fax - 269/671-2409
Cell Phone - Not Available
Email - msusw@msu.edu
Website - http://www.msue.msu.edu/jobs